JP4386080B2 - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and program for processing image data.

  Recently, with the enforcement of the Personal Information Protection Law, there has been a rapid increase in the need to add security functions to paper documents. For this reason, various techniques for recording an image (called a code image) in which arbitrary information is embedded together with an image to be formed (called a document image) have been proposed. For example, there is a technique in which a portion that is difficult to modify is selected from a document image and a code image is embedded in that portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-289883

  By the way, when a code image is embedded in a document image, if the document image and the code image are expressed in the same color, the document image is mixed in the code image. Then, as a result, the content of the code image becomes the same as that changed, and it becomes difficult to read the code image. In particular, when a code image is to be formed over almost the entire surface of a document image, it is very difficult to read the code image in an area where the document image and the code image overlap.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above-described technique, and an object thereof is to suppress modification of a code image by a document image.

The invention described in claim 1
Document image generation means for generating document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan based on an electronic document;
When creating an image signal including color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black from the document image data based on the information of the object constituting the document image data, the type of the object is set. A first creating means for creating first control data used for controlling the black generation processing according to
When generating an image signal including color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan from the document image data based on the information of the code image including unique identification information, depending on the presence or absence of the code image The black or invisible color is used to control the generation process, or the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. A second creation means for creating second control data used for controlling the invisible color generation process according to the presence or absence of a code image;
An image processing apparatus including an adding unit that adds the first control data or the second control data to the document image data.
The invention described in claim 2
The first creation means creates a tag in which different values are set for each pixel constituting the document image data as the first control data according to the type of the object,
The second creation means creates a tag in which a different value is set for each pixel constituting the document image data according to the presence or absence of the code image as the second control data. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

The invention according to claim 3
Set to document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan created based on an electronic document based on information of objects constituting the document image data Receiving means for receiving a print instruction to which the first control data or the second control data set based on the information of the code image including the unique identification information is added;
When the first control data is added to the print instruction, the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. First image processing means for performing black generation processing according to the type of the object based on the first control data;
When the second control data is added to the print instruction, the second image data is generated when the image signal including the color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan is generated from the document image data. The black or invisible color is generated according to the presence or absence of the code image based on the control data, or the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is included from the document image data. The image processing apparatus includes a second image processing unit that performs generation processing of the invisible color based on the second control data when generating the image signal.
The invention according to claim 4
The first control data includes a tag in which different values are set for each pixel constituting the document image data according to the type of the object, and the second control data constitutes the document image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein each of the pixels includes a tag in which a different value is set according to the presence or absence of the code image.

The invention described in claim 5
On the computer,
A function of generating document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan based on an electronic document;
When creating an image signal including color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black from the document image data based on the information of the object constituting the document image data, the type of the object is set. A function of creating first control data used for controlling the black generation processing according to
When generating an image signal including color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan from the document image data based on the information of the code image including unique identification information, depending on the presence or absence of the code image The black or invisible color is used to control the generation process, or the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. A function of creating second control data used to control the invisible color generation process according to the presence or absence of a code image;
A program for realizing the function of adding the first control data or the second control data to the document image data.

The invention described in claim 6
On the computer,
Set to document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan created based on an electronic document based on information of objects constituting the document image data A function of receiving a print instruction to which the first control data or the second control data set based on the information of the code image including the unique identification information is added;
When the first control data is added to the print instruction, the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. A function of performing the black generation process according to the type of the object based on the first control data;
When the second control data is added to the print instruction, the second image data is generated when the image signal including the color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan is generated from the document image data. The black or invisible color is generated according to the presence or absence of the code image based on the control data, or the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is included from the document image data. This is a program that realizes a function of performing the invisible color generation processing based on the second control data when creating an image signal.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the modification of the code image by the document image, which is caused when the document image and the code image are formed in the same color, and the code image is formed. When it is not necessary, the image quality of the document image can be improved.
According to invention of Claim 2, the information included in a tag can be switched.
According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to suppress the modification of the code image by the document image, which is caused by the document image and the code image being formed in the same color, and it is necessary to form the code image. If not, the image quality of the document image can be improved.
According to invention of Claim 4, the information included in a tag can be switched.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the modification of the code image by the document image, which is caused by the document image and the code image being formed in the same color, and the code image is formed. When it is not necessary, the image quality of the document image can be improved.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the modification of the code image by the document image that accompanies the document image and the code image being formed in the same color, and it is necessary to form the code image. If not, the image quality of the document image can be improved.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. The printing system includes, for example, a plurality of clients 1 (for example, 1a and 1b), a printer 2, and a network 3. In the present embodiment, the clients 1 a and 1 b are connected to the printer 2 via the network 3. Here, for example, the client 1 can be configured by a computer device that operates on Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation. For this reason, the client 1 performs drawing processing using each color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) in an application that operates on Windows (registered trademark). The printer 2 is configured by a color printer capable of forming a full color image by using color materials (for example, toner) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), for example.

  In this print system, when the client 1 outputs a print instruction, the print instruction is transmitted to the printer 2 via the network 3. Then, an image corresponding to the print instruction received by the printer 2 is printed on the paper (image formation).

  In the present embodiment, the client 1 can output a print instruction in the first mode in which printing of only the document image is instructed, or in the second mode in which the code image is superimposed on the document image for printing. . Here, the document image is based on an electronic document (such as document data) created by an application that operates on Windows (registered trademark), and includes, for example, an image, text, and the like. On the other hand, the code image includes, for example, unique identification information provided for each page of the document image (or for each file) and position information indicating the position on the paper to be printed, for example. Details of the code image will be described later. The client 1 outputs document image data corresponding to the document image as a print instruction in the first mode, and collectively prints the document image data corresponding to the document image and the code image data corresponding to the code image in the second mode. Output as an instruction.

  When receiving the print instruction in the first mode, the printer 2 prints the document image on the paper using the color materials of each color of YMCK based on the document image data. On the other hand, when receiving the print instruction of the second mode, the printer 2 prints the document image on the paper using the color materials of each of the YMC colors excluding K color based on the document image data, and based on the code image data. A code image is printed on the same paper using a K color material.

Next, a code image formed on a sheet by the printer 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image or the like constituting the code image.
First, unit patterns constituting a code image will be described.
FIG. 2A shows an example of the unit pattern.
The unit pattern is the minimum unit for embedding information. In FIG. 2A, a black area and a shaded area are areas where dots can be arranged, and a white area between them is an area where dots cannot be arranged. In addition, among the areas where dots can be arranged, dots are arranged in black areas, and dots are not arranged in hatched areas. That is, the figure shows an example in which a unit pattern is configured by arranging dots at two locations selected from nine locations where dots can be arranged. Here, since there are 36 (= ₉ C ₂ ) combinations for selecting two locations out of nine locations, there are 36 types of unit patterns. Of these, four types of unit patterns are used as synchronization patterns. The synchronization pattern is a pattern for detecting the rotation of the image and specifying the relative positions of the identification code and the position code. In particular, since it is necessary to detect the rotation of the image, the four types of synchronization patterns are selected such that when one of the synchronization patterns is rotated 90 degrees, another synchronization pattern is obtained. Further, the 32 types of unit patterns excluding these 4 types of synchronization patterns are used as information patterns expressing the identification code and the position code, and 5-bit information is expressed.

  By the way, the dots shown in FIG. 2A are merely dots for information expression, and do not necessarily coincide with dots that mean the smallest point constituting the image. In the present embodiment, the dots for information expression (the minimum square in FIG. 2A) have a size of 2 dots × 2 dots at 600 dpi. Since the size of one dot at 600 dpi is 0.0423 mm, one side of a dot for information expression (the minimum square in FIG. 2A) is 84.6 μm (= 0.0423 mm × 2). The larger the dot for information expression, the more likely it is to be noticeable. Therefore, it is preferable that the dot is as small as possible. However, if it is too small, printing with a printer becomes impossible. Therefore, the above values larger than 50 μm and smaller than 100 μm are employed as the size of dots for information expression. However, the above value 84.6 μm is a numerical value to the last, and is about 100 μm in the actually printed toner image. It should be noted that the term “dot” in this specification refers to a dot for information expression, not a dot that means the minimum point constituting an image, unless otherwise specified.

Next, a code block composed of such unit patterns will be described.
FIG. 2B shows an example of the code block layout. Here, not the image but the code arrangement immediately before being replaced by the pattern image is shown. That is, a unit pattern (any one of 36 unit patterns) as shown in FIG. 2A is arranged in the smallest square (hereinafter referred to as “unit block”) in FIG. Will be formed.
In the layout of FIG. 2B, the synchronization code is arranged in one unit block at the upper left of the code block. Further, the X position code is arranged in the four unit blocks on the right side of the unit block in which the synchronization code is arranged, and the Y position code is arranged in the four unit blocks on the lower side of the unit block in which the synchronization code is arranged. . Furthermore, identification codes are arranged in 16 (= 4 × 4) unit blocks surrounded by unit blocks in which these position codes are arranged.

Here, encoding of identification information will be described.
When encoding identification information, the bit string which comprises identification information is divided | segmented into a some block in order to perform RS encoding. Although there are several methods for encoding, RS encoding is suitable in this embodiment. This is because the RS code is a multi-value coding method, and in this case, the value represented by the unit block corresponds to the multi-value of the RS code. For example, when 5-bit information is expressed by one unit block, the 60-bit identification information is divided into 12 blocks having a block length of 5 bits. If an RS code capable of correcting two blocks of errors is employed, the code length is 16 blocks, which can be accommodated in the unit block in which the identification code in the code block of FIG. The encoding method is not limited to the RS code, and other encoding methods such as a BCH code may be used.

Next, encoding of position information will be described.
For encoding the position information, an M-sequence code, which is a kind of pseudo-random sequence, is used. Here, the M sequence refers to a sequence having the longest period among code sequences generated by a shift register having a certain length and feedback. When K is the number of stages in the shift register, the sequence length of the M sequence is 2 ^K −1. Arbitrary consecutive K bits extracted from the M sequence have a property that they do not appear at other positions in the same M sequence. Therefore, the position information is encoded using this property.
By the way, in the present embodiment, a necessary M-sequence order is obtained from the length of position information to be encoded, and an M-sequence is generated. However, if the length of the position information to be encoded is known in advance, it is not necessary to generate the M sequence each time. That is, a fixed M sequence may be generated in advance and stored in a memory or the like.
For example, it is assumed that an M sequence (K = 13) having a sequence length of 8191 is used. In this case, since the position code is also embedded in units of 5 bits, 5 bits are taken out from the M sequence having a sequence length of 8191 and blocked.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 2 forms a code image obtained by imaging the unit pattern thus generated on almost the entire surface of the paper to be printed. The printer 2 also forms the document image on almost the entire surface of the paper to be printed. Therefore, in the second mode, the document image and the code image are formed on the sheet so as to be almost entirely overlapped.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the printer 2, and here, a digital color printer using a rotary (rotary) developing device is shown. The printer 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum 11 that forms an electrostatic latent image on a main body 10 to carry a toner image, a charger 12 that charges the photosensitive drum 11 by charging, and a print data creation unit 60. Based on the image signal from (details will be described later), an exposure device 13 that selectively exposes the charged photosensitive drum 11, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed by the exposure device 13. And a four-color developing device 14 for forming a toner image.

  The four-color developing unit 14 is a rotary (rotary) developing unit, and forms four color toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Are provided with four developing units 50 (hereinafter, referred to as yellow developing unit 50Y, magenta developing unit 50M, cyan developing unit 50C, and black developing unit 50K), respectively. A developing roll 51 is provided on the circumference of the four-color developing device 14. The four-color developing device 14 is rotated 90 degrees around the developing device center 14 a so that the developing roll 51 provided in the desired developing device 50 faces the photosensitive drum 11. More specifically, the yellow developing device 50Y, the magenta developing device 50M, the cyan developing device 50C, and the black developing device 50K are opposed to the photosensitive drum 11 in this order for one print output, and full color output is possible. It is said. In the present embodiment, the black toner built in the black developing device 50K contains carbon having absorption in the wavelength region near 850 nm as a coloring component.

  Further, on the downstream side of the four-color developing unit 14 on the photosensitive drum 11, an intermediate transfer belt 15 and an intermediate transfer belt 15 that temporarily hold a toner image developed by the developing unit 50 and formed on the photosensitive drum 11. The image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roll 16 that transfers a toner image formed on the sheet onto a sheet, and a fixing unit 17 that fixes the toner image formed on the sheet by heating and pressing. Further, around the photosensitive drum 11, a cleaning blade 18 that scrapes off toner (residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the cleaning blade 18 is scraped off. A toner collection bottle 19 for collecting toner and collecting toner is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates four times when forming one print image. The secondary transfer roll 16 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15 during the first three rotations, that is, when the Y, M, and C color toner images are held, and the last K color toner image. Is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15 is in contact (contact) in a wrap shape so as to be wound around the photosensitive drum 11 by a predetermined range. In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 15 itself is not provided with a drive source, and is configured to follow the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11 using contact by wrapping, and the rotation direction of the contact portion is the same. Thus, it is rotating counterclockwise.

  Inside the intermediate transfer belt 15, a wrap-in roll 21 that specifies the wrap position of the intermediate transfer belt 15 on the upstream side of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 are intermediate transferred. A primary transfer roll 22 to be transferred onto the belt 15 and a wrap-out roll 23 for specifying the wrap position of the intermediate transfer belt 15 on the downstream side of the wrap position are provided. A predetermined primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roll 22 to assist the primary transfer.

  Further, a backup roll 24 that assists secondary transfer by the secondary transfer roll 16 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 15. A predetermined potential difference is required between the backup roll 24 and the secondary transfer roll 16 constituting the secondary transfer portion. The other backup roll 24 is connected to GND.

  An intermediate transfer body cleaner 30 that removes toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer is provided downstream of the secondary transfer portion on the intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer body cleaner 30 scrapes off the toner remaining after the secondary transfer, the scraper 25 for scraping off the toner remaining after cleaning by the scraper 25, the scraper 25, and the brush roll 26. A second toner recovery bottle 29 for recovering the received toner is provided. Inside the intermediate transfer belt 15, a cleaning backup roll 27 that assists the cleaning operation by the scraper 25 and a cleaning backup roll 28 that assists the cleaning operation by the brush roll 26 are provided.

  The scraper 25 is made of a thin plate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, such as stainless steel, and is subjected to a predetermined electric field. The brush roll 26 is a brush made of nylon, acrylic, or the like that has been subjected to a conductive treatment. The brush roller 26 is driven to rotate by receiving power from a drive source, and the scraped toner is provided in the second toner recovery bottle 29. The second toner collection bottle 29 is accommodated from the opened window. The scraper 25 and the brush roll 26 scrape off residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer roll 16 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15 and performs secondary transfer. For this reason, at the beginning of image formation, the toner image being superimposed is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as not to be scraped off. It is configured to.

  The paper transport system includes a paper feed cassette 31 that stores various recording media such as paper and OHP sheets, a feed roll 32 that feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 31 and feeds it, and feeds the fed paper one by one. A retard roll 33, a registration roll 34 for aligning and aligning the paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 31 via the feed roll 32, etc., and a fixing roll 17 are provided on the paper. A heat roll 35 that heats the toner image formed on the sheet, a pressure roll 36 that opposes the heat roll 35 and presses the sheet during heating, a discharge roll 37 that discharges the sheet to the outside after fixing, and an upper part of the apparatus. A discharge tray 38 is provided for collecting (stacking) the sheets discharged by the discharge roll 37.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 2 is provided with a paper conveyance path 70 as a vertical paper conveyance path. The sheet conveyance path 70 is constituted by a conveyance guide 71 provided in the apparatus and an outer wall of the toner recovery bottle 19 which is a box. That is, in the present embodiment, a sheet conveyance path 70 that is provided between the registration roll 34 and the secondary transfer unit and conveys the sheet from the lower side to the upper side in the substantially vertical direction, and one side of the toner collection bottle 19 It is formed by an outer wall, and the other surface is constituted by a conveyance guide 71.

  Further, the printer 2 includes a control unit 40 that controls the movement of each member constituting the printer 2 and a reflection type photo that is provided adjacent to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and detects a toner patch formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15. A position sensor 41 as a sensor is provided. The position sensor 41 can detect the position of the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the rotation direction by reading a patch formed in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15. More specifically, the Y, M, C, and K colors can be aligned by performing exposure at a predetermined timing from the point where the position sensor 41 detects the patch. It is also possible to detect the density of the toner formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 based on the output of the position sensor 41 and execute the density control by the control unit 40 based on the detection result.

  Furthermore, the printer 2 creates an image signal for each color of YMCK based on a print instruction (first mode or second mode) input from the client 1 via the network 3 and outputs it to the exposure unit 13. A data creation unit 60 is provided. Details of the print data creation unit 60 will be described later.

Next, an image forming process using the printer 2 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. When the printer 2 receives a print instruction from the client 1 connected via the network 3, the image forming process is started based on the instruction from the control unit 40. In the case of full color output, the print data creation unit 60 creates image signals for each color of YMCK based on the print instruction received from the client 1 and sequentially outputs them to the exposure unit 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and K.
In the case of full-color print output, the four-color developing device 14 first rotates so that the yellow developing device 50Y faces the photosensitive drum 11. First, when forming a yellow toner image, the photosensitive drum 11 rotating in the clockwise direction is charged by the charger 12 and then image information corresponding to yellow is emitted by, for example, laser light from the exposure device 13. And an electrostatic latent image is formed. At this time, the exposure device 13 switches exposure on / off based on the yellow image signal created by the print data creation unit 60. Thereafter, development is performed by the developing roller 51, and then a yellow toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in a lap-shaped contact range. At this time, the secondary transfer roll 16, the scraper 25, and the brush roll 26 are retracted (separated) from the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is not scraped off by these.

  After the primary transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 18 and moves to a portion facing the charger 12 for the next toner image formation. The residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 18 is collected in a toner recovery bottle 19. Further, the four-color developing device 14 rotates so as to be in time for the development timing, and the magenta developing device 50M faces the photosensitive drum 11. A magenta toner image is formed from the latent image that has been exposed based on the magenta image signal by the exposure device 13 and is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 15. Similarly, cyan and black toner images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 to complete the primary transfer.

  The secondary transfer roll 16 completes the primary transfer of the cyan toner image by the exposure device 13, and the toner image superimposed up to cyan is the secondary transfer portion (where the secondary transfer is performed by the secondary transfer roll 16). The intermediate transfer belt 15 is advanced (extruded) before the exposure (black exposure) for forming a black electrostatic latent image is started in the inter-image area after passing through. Thus, the secondary transfer roll 16 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 15 to prepare for the secondary transfer. Further, the scraper 25 and the brush roll 26 are advanced with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 15 when the black portion is exposed and the cleaner portion (where the scraper 25 and the brush roll 26 are cleaned) is an inter-image. To do. This inter-image can be said to be an area portion where no toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 or the photosensitive drum 11 (a toner image is not planned to be formed) and a portion where writing by exposure is not planned. it can.

  On the other hand, the feed roll 32 is driven from the paper feed cassette 31 at a predetermined timing based on the control by the control unit 40, and the sheets are sequentially taken out and are fed one by one by the retard roll 33, to the registration roll 34. To reach. The registration roll 34 rotates in accordance with the secondary transfer timing in the secondary transfer unit, and functions to send the sheet to the secondary transfer unit at a predetermined timing. The paper stored in the paper feed cassette 31 is transported in a substantially vertical direction by a transport device, and transported to a secondary transfer portion including the secondary transfer roll 16 and the backup roll 24, and a toner image is transferred.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred in the secondary transfer unit is conveyed to the fixing device 17. In the fixing device 17, the toner image on the paper is heated by the heat roll 35 and is pressed against the paper by the pressure roll 36 to be fixed. After that, it is output to the outside of the apparatus through the discharge roll 37 and is stored in a discharge tray 38 provided on the upper part of the printer 2. As described above, the image forming process for outputting one color print is completed.

  Next, generation of a print instruction (image data) in the client 1 and processing of image data in the print data creation unit 60 of the printer 2 will be described more specifically. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the image processing system of the client 1 and the printer 2.

  First, an image processing system in the client 1 will be described. The client 1 includes a printer driver unit 110, a rasterizing unit 120, a preprocessing unit 130, and a tag setting unit 140. The client 1 further includes a tag changing unit 150, an ID acquisition unit 160, a code generation unit 170, and a compression unit 180.

  Among these, the printer driver unit 110 as one of the document image generation means converts document data or the like requested for printing by an application running on the client 1 into job data using printer driver software. Note that the job data is vector data (referred to as RGB vector data in the following description) including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color image information. For example, PDL (Page Description Language: (Page description language). The job data includes a drawing command related to ROP processing (details will be described later) as necessary. Further, the printer driver unit 110 outputs information (object information) of a drawing object (image object or text object) used when creating vector data to the tag setting unit 140. Further, when a print request for document data or the like is made, the printer driver unit 110 performs printing in the first mode, that is, only the document image, or in the second mode, that is, printing in which the code image is superimposed on the document image. It also accepts requests about whether When receiving a print request in the second mode, the printer driver unit 110 outputs a management ID acquisition request necessary for generating a code image to the ID acquisition unit 160.

  The rasterizing unit 120 interprets RGB vector data input from the printer driver unit 110, and generates bitmap data for each color of RGB. In the following description, the bitmap data of each RGB color output from the rasterizing unit 120 is referred to as RGB raster data.

  The pre-processing unit 130 performs various image processing on the RGB raster data input from the rasterizing unit 120. In the present embodiment, while the preprocessing unit 130 performs image processing by software, the printer 2 performs image processing by hardware as will be described later, and the printer 2 has a function of executing relatively simple image processing. I have only. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the pre-processing unit 130 provided in the client 1 executes various image processing that cannot be processed on the printer 2 side. The preprocessing unit 130 includes an ROP processing unit 131, a color conversion unit 132, and a tag adding unit 133.

  The ROP processing unit 131 performs ROP (Raster Operation) processing as needed based on the RGB raster data input from the rasterizing unit 120. More specifically, the ROP processing unit 131 performs ROP processing on the RGB raster data for which the ROP processing drawing command has been issued, and outputs the data. On the contrary, the ROP processing unit 131 outputs the RGB raster data without the ROP processing drawing command as it is without executing the ROP processing.

  The ROP process is adopted, for example, by GDI (Graphic Device Interface) installed in Windows (registered trademark) that operates as the OS (Operating System) of the client 1 or the printer control language PCL (Printer Control Language) of Hewlett-Packard Company. Is a kind of drawing command. The ROP process not only overwrites the target area (called a destination) with the drawing element instructed to be drawn as the source, but also writes the result of adding a logical operation to the source to the destination or at that point in the target area As a destination, the result of the logical operation between the source and the destination can be written back to the destination, or a complex logical operation using a plurality of sources can be performed. For example, in GDI, three modes of ROP2, ROP3, and ROP4 can be used as ROP processing.

  The color conversion unit 132 performs color conversion processing on the RGB raster data input from the ROP processing unit 131 for each pixel. The color conversion unit 132 converts the RGB raster data into RGB raster data having different colors (referred to as R′G′B ′ raster data in the following description) using a three-dimensional DLUT (Direct Look Up Table). In the present embodiment, as described later, since the color conversion processing executed in the printer 2 (specifically, the reversing unit 221 described later) is a so-called linear conversion, the color conversion unit 132 performs this linear conversion. Color conversion processing is performed as color correction in advance to absorb the error caused by the above.

  The tag assigning unit 133 assigns Tag (tag) (corresponding to the first control data) as one of the control data for each pixel to the R′G′B ′ raster data input from the color conversion unit 132. . At this time, the Tag assigning unit 133 sets Tag = 1 when the target pixel forms an image object (for example, a photograph), and sets Tag when the target pixel forms a text object (for example, a character). = 0 is assigned. As a result, R′G′B ′ raster data (hereinafter referred to as “R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag” with tag attached) is output from the tag adding unit 133 to each pixel. In other words, the Tag assigning unit 133 assigns a Tag for performing object discrimination. Note that the Tag given to each pixel of the R′G′B ′ raster data is set by the Tag setting unit 140 that functions as the first creation unit. The Tag setting unit 140 sets a Tag value to be assigned to each pixel based on object information input from the printer driver unit 110, for example.

  Note that Tag, that is, control data in the present embodiment is data used in various processes executed corresponding to document image data when image formation is performed based on predetermined document image data. However, in the present embodiment, there are cases where the target of processing by Tag is the document image data itself and code image data corresponding to the document image data.

  A tag changing unit 150 as one of the adding means performs tag (control) on a pixel-by-pixel basis with respect to R′G′B ′ raster data with tag input from the preprocessing unit 130 (tag setting unit 140). Data) is overwritten (replaced). More specifically, the tag changing unit 150 does not overwrite the tag in the first mode in which the document image data is output as a print instruction, and does not overwrite the input R′G′B ′ raster data with tag as it is. Output. On the other hand, in the second mode in which the document image and the code image are collectively output as a print instruction, the tag changing unit 150 overwrites the tag, and the tag-added R′G′B ′ raster data with the tag content changed is output. Output. Here, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the Tag overwritten by the Tag changing unit 150 functions as code image data.

  When a print instruction is output in the second mode, that is, when a management ID acquisition request is received from the printer driver unit 110, the ID acquisition unit 160 identifies unique identification information, that is, a management ID for each page of document image data. Get (Identification). The ID acquisition unit 160 may be provided in the client 1 as in the present embodiment, or may be provided outside the client 1, specifically, as an ID management server connected to the network 3. There is a case. In such a case, the client 1 requests the ID management server to obtain a management ID via the network 3 and obtains a management ID sent from the ID management server via the network 3.

  When the print instruction is output in the second mode, the code generation unit 170 as one of the code image generation unit or the second generation unit generates an identification code based on the management ID received from the ID acquisition unit 160. And a position code indicating the position on the sheet based on the size of the sheet to be printed. Next, the code generation unit 170 combines the identification code and the position code to generate code image data. The code image data is set for each pixel, and “1” is assigned to a pixel that is a code image formation target, and “0” is assigned to a pixel that is not a code image formation target.

  When the print instruction is output in the second mode, the tag changing unit 150 functions as a second creation unit for the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag input from the tag adding unit 133. The code image data generated by the code generation unit 170 is referred to, and for each pixel, Tag = 1 is set for the pixel for which the code image data is set to 1, and the code image data is set to 0 for each pixel. Each pixel is overwritten with Tag = 0. That is, the Tag changing unit 150 assigns Tag (second control data) corresponding to the presence / absence of code image data for each pixel. When tag overwriting is performed in the second mode, the tag changing unit 150 adds and outputs mode information indicating the second mode to the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag.

  The compression unit 180 performs compression processing on the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag input from the tag changing unit 150, and outputs the compressed data (referred to as TR′G′B ′ compressed data in the following description). . At this time, the compression unit 180 compresses the R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag by using a lossless compression algorithm in which the pre-compression data and the data that has undergone compression / decompression processing are completely equal to each other, and TR Generate 'G'B' compressed data.

  It should be noted that the functions of the components constituting the printer driver unit 110, the rasterizing unit 120, the preprocessing unit 130, the tag setting unit 140, the tag changing unit 150, the ID acquisition unit 160, the code generation unit 170, and the compression unit 180 are software and This is realized through cooperation with hardware resources. That is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) provided in the client 1 reads a program for realizing the functions of these units from a storage device such as a hard disk into the main memory to realize these functions.

  Next, the configuration of the print data creation unit 60 in the printer 2 will be described. The print data creation unit 60 includes an expansion unit 210 and an image processing unit 220. The exposure unit 13 is connected to the image processing unit 220.

  A decompression unit 210 that also functions as a receiving unit performs decompression processing on TR′G′B ′ compressed data as image forming data input from the client 1 via the network 3. At this time, the decompression unit 210 decompresses the TR′G′B ′ compressed data using the same algorithm as the compression unit 180 to generate original R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag.

  The image processing unit 220 functioning as an image signal generation unit, an image processing unit, a code image generation unit, a first image signal generation unit, and a second image signal generation unit is provided with R′G with a tag input from the decompression unit 210. Various image processing is applied to the 'B' raster data. The image processing unit 220 also outputs to the exposure unit 13 image signals for each color of YMCK obtained by performing various image processing on the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag. The image processing unit 220 includes an inversion unit 221, a selector unit 222, a first black generation unit 223, a first gradation correction unit 224, a second black generation unit 225, a second gradation correction unit 226, and a composition unit 227. . In this example, it is assumed that the image processing unit 220 is realized by a hardware device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  Among these, the inversion unit 221 complements the R′G′B ′ raster data (bitmap data of each color of RGB) constituting the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag input from the decompression unit 210. The bitmap data of each color of YMC is generated by inversion using the data. In the following description, bitmap data for each color of YMC obtained by inverting R′G′B ′ raster data is referred to as YMC raster data. In addition, the YMC raster data obtained in this manner is directly associated with the Tag assigned to each pixel in the original R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag. Further, the mode information added to the R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag is added as it is to the YMC raster data. In the following description, YMC raster data in which Tag is assigned to each pixel is referred to as Tag-added YMC raster data.

  The selector unit 222 refers to the tag of YMC raster data with tag input from the inversion unit 221 for each pixel. In addition, the selector unit 222 sets the YMC raster data of the pixel for which Tag is set (Tag = 1) (referred to as first YMC raster data in the following description) to the first black generation unit 223, and Tag is not set ( Tag = 0) YMC raster data of pixels (referred to as second YMC raster data) is distributed to the second black generating unit 225 and output.

The first black generating unit 223 converts the first YMC raster data input from the selector unit 222 into YMCK raster data including black, that is, K (referred to as first YMCK raster data in the following description). The first black generating unit 223 has different processing contents when a print instruction is given in the first mode and when a print instruction is given in the second mode, the details of which will be described later. .
The first gradation correction unit 224 performs gradation correction for each color on the first YMCK raster data input from the first black generation unit 223.

On the other hand, the second black generating unit 225 converts the second YMC raster data input from the reversing unit 221 into YMCK raster data including black, that is, K, as in the first black generating unit 223 (in the following description, the second YMCR raster data To YMCK raster data). In addition, similar to the first black generation unit 223, the second black generation unit 225 has different processing contents when a print instruction is issued in the first mode and when a print instruction is issued in the second mode. Details will be described later.
The second gradation correction unit 226 performs gradation correction for each color on the second YMCK raster data input from the second black generation unit 225. Note that the tone correction conditions in the second tone correction unit 226 can be different from the tone correction conditions in the first tone correction unit 224.

  The synthesizing unit 227 arranges the first YMCK raster data input from the first tone correction unit 224 and the second YMCK raster data input from the second tone correction unit 226 in order of pixels, and synthesizes the YMCK raster. Generate data. The combining unit 227 rearranges the obtained YMCK data for each color and outputs the data to the exposure unit 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and K.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first black generating unit 223 provided in the print data generating unit 60. The first black generating unit 223 includes a first parameter storage unit 2231, a first parameter setting unit 2232, a first UCR (Under Color Removal) processing unit 2233, and a data changing unit 2234.

  The first parameter storage unit 2231 holds two first parameters (parameter A and parameter B) used in the black generation process in the first black generation unit 223. Note that the parameter A includes the set values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the data changing unit 2234 in the first mode. The parameter B includes the set values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the data changing unit 2234 in the second mode. Details of these parameters A and B will be described later.

  The first parameter setting unit 2232 reads the parameter A or the parameter B from the first parameter storage unit 2231. Then, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets each setting value in the read parameter in the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the data changing unit 2234.

  The first UCR processing unit 2233 performs background removal processing for each pixel on the first YMC raster data (data assigned with Tag = 1) input from the selector unit 222. More specifically, the first UCR processing unit 2233 replaces a predetermined ratio of the input YMC raster data in which the YMC is superimposed and becomes gray (gray) with black (black). Remove the ground with. At this time, the first UCR processing unit 2233 applies the first YMC raster data to the first YMC raster data based on the UCR rate (the ratio of replacing the YMC superposition component with black) as the setting value set by the first parameter setting unit 2232. Ink generation processing is performed.

  The data changing unit 2234 performs a process of replacing (changing) the K data constituting the first YMCK raster data output from the first UCR processing unit 2233 with a predetermined density value as necessary. More specifically, the data changing unit 2234 does not change the K data in the first mode and outputs the data as it is. On the other hand, in the second mode, the data changing unit 2234 changes the K data to a predetermined density value and performs output. Note that the maximum value of the K data is, for example, 255 in the case of 8-bit multilevel data. Then, the data changing unit 2234 changes or does not change the K data based on the setting value (the presence or absence of data change) set by the first parameter setting unit 2232.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the second black generating unit 225 provided in the print data generating unit 60. The second black generating unit 225 includes a second parameter storage unit 2251, a second parameter setting unit 2252, and a second UCR processing unit 2253. Unlike the first black generating unit 223, the second black generating unit 225 does not have a functional block corresponding to the data changing unit 2234.
The second parameter storage unit 2251 holds two second parameters (parameter C and parameter D) used in the black generation process in the second black generation unit 225. The parameter C includes a setting value of the second UCR processing unit 2253 in the first mode. The parameter D includes a setting value of the second UCR processing unit 2253 in the second mode. Details of the parameter C and the parameter D will be described later.

  The second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the parameter C or the parameter D from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Then, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the set value in the read parameter in the second UCR processing unit 2253.

  The second UCR processing unit 2253 performs background removal processing for each pixel on the second YMC raster data (data assigned with Tag = 0) input from the selector unit 222. This background removal processing is the same as the processing performed by the first UCR processing unit 2233. At this time, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs black generation processing on the second YMC raster data based on the UCR rate as a setting value set by the second parameter setting unit 2252.

  FIG. 6A illustrates the first parameters (parameter A and parameter B) held in the first parameter storage unit 2231 of the first black generating unit 223. The first parameter includes setting information on the UCR rate used in the first UCR processing unit 2233 and setting information on whether or not the data change unit 2234 has changed data. Of the first parameters, parameter A is setting information for the pixels for which Tag = 1 is set in the first mode for outputting the document image, that is, for the pixels constituting the image object. The parameter B is setting information for a pixel for which Tag = 1 is set in the second mode for outputting a document image and a code image, that is, a pixel constituting the code image. In this example, the parameter A is set to “UCR rate 30%” and “no data change”. Parameter B is set to “UCR rate 0%” and “data changed”.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B illustrates the second parameters (parameter C and parameter D) held in the second parameter storage unit 2251 of the second black generating unit 225. The second parameter includes setting information of the UCR rate used by the second UCR processing unit 2253. Of the second parameters, the parameter C is setting information for the pixels for which Tag = 0 is set in the first mode for outputting the document image, that is, the pixels constituting the text object. The parameter D is setting information for a pixel for which Tag = 0 is set in the second mode for outputting a document image and a code image, that is, a pixel that does not constitute a code image. In this example, the parameter C is set to “UCR rate 100%”. Parameter D is set to “UCR rate 0%”.

Now, a specific processing procedure in the printing process will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the client 1.
For example, when a document data print request is made by a user operating the client 1, the printer driver unit 110 generates job data, that is, RGB vector data based on the document data (step 101). At this time, the printer driver unit 110 outputs the object information to the tag setting unit 140, and outputs a management ID acquisition request to the ID acquisition unit 160 when a print request in the second mode is made. To do. Next, the rasterizing unit 120 rasterizes the RGB vector data to create RGB raster data (step 102). The created RGB raster data is output to the ROP processing unit 131 for each pixel.

  Then, the ROP processing unit 131 determines whether or not there is an ROP processing instruction for each pixel of the input RGB raster data for each pixel (step 103). If it is determined that there is an instruction for ROP processing, the ROP processing unit 131 performs ROP processing corresponding to the content of the instruction on the RGB raster data of the pixel (step 104). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no ROP processing instruction, the ROP processing unit 131 outputs the RGB raster data of the pixel as it is without performing the ROP processing. That is, the process proceeds to the next step 105. Then, the color conversion unit 132 performs RGB-RGB color conversion on the RGB raster data input for each pixel from the ROP processing unit 131 (step 105), and the R′G′B ′ raster obtained as a result thereof. Output data.

  Next, based on the object information input from the printer driver unit 110, the Tag setting unit 140 sets the pixel object for each pixel to R′G′B ′ raster data input to the Tag adding unit 133. Is determined (step 106). Here, if it is determined that the pixel constitutes an image object, the tag assigning unit 133 assigns 1 as the tag to the R′G′B ′ raster data of the pixel (step 107). The R′G′B ′ raster data with tag output is output. On the other hand, when it is determined that the pixel does not constitute an image object (when it is determined that the pixel constitutes a text object), the Tag assigning unit 133 performs R′G′B ′ raster data of the pixel. Is assigned 0 as a tag (step 108), and the obtained R'G'B 'raster data with tag is output.

  Next, the tag changing unit 150 determines whether or not code generation is performed by the code generation unit 170 (whether or not it is in the second mode) (step 109). If it is determined that code generation has been performed, the tag changing unit 150 uses the code image data generated by the code generation unit 170 for the input R′G′B ′ raster data with tag. While referring, it is determined for each pixel whether or not the pixel is an object to code (form) (step 110). Here, if the pixel is the target of code entry, the tag changing unit 150 overwrites the tag of the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag of the pixel to 1 (step 111) and is updated. Output R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag. On the other hand, if the pixel is not the target of code entry, the tag changing unit 150 overwrites the tag of the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag of the pixel to 0 (step 112), and the updated tag Append R'G'B 'raster data is output. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 109 that code generation has not been performed (not in the second mode), the tag changing unit 150 passes through the input R′G′B ′ raster data with tag as it is, and the next The process proceeds to step 113.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for all the pixels constituting the RGB raster data created in step 102 has been completed (step 113). If it is determined that the processing for all the pixels has not been completed, step 103 is performed. Returning to, processing for the next pixel is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing for all the pixels has been completed, the compression unit 180 performs compression processing on the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag of all the pixels (step 114), and the obtained TR ′. The G′B ′ compressed data is transmitted to the printer 2 via the network 3 (step 115), and the series of processes is terminated.

  That is, in the second mode in which a code image is superimposed on a document image and printed, the printer driver unit 110 (document image generation unit) generates document image data based on the document image (electronic document), while generating code. A unit 170 (code image generation means) generates code image data of the code image data. A tag changing unit 150 (adding unit) adds the code image data generated by the code generating unit 170 to the document image data as Tag (control data), and outputs it to the printer 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the print data creation unit 60 of the printer 2.
When the TR′G′B ′ compressed data is received from the client 1 via the network 3 (step 201), the decompression unit 210 performs decompression processing on the TR′G′B ′ compressed data (step 202). R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag is obtained. Next, the reversing unit 221 performs reversal processing on the R′G′B ′ raster data with tag input from the decompression unit 210 (step 203) to obtain YMC raster data with tag. The obtained YMC raster data with tag is output to the selector unit 222 for each pixel.

Then, the selector unit 222 determines whether or not the Tag given to the pixel is 1 for each pixel of the input YMC raster data with Tag (step 204).
If it is determined that the assigned Tag is 1, the selector unit 222 outputs the YMC raster data (first YMC raster data) of the pixel to the first black generation unit 223. Then, the first black generation unit 223 performs black generation processing on the input first YMC raster data (step 205), and outputs the obtained first YMCK data. Note that specific processing in the first black generating unit 223 will be described later. Further, the first gradation correction unit 224 performs a first gradation correction process on the first YMCK raster data (step 206), and outputs it to the synthesis unit 227.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 204 that the assigned Tag is not 1 (the assigned Tag is 0), the selector unit 222 determines that the YMC raster data (second YMC raster data) of the pixel. Is output to the second black generating unit 225. Then, the second black generation unit 225 performs black generation processing on the input second YMC raster data (step 207), and outputs the obtained second YMCK data. Specific processing in the second black generating unit 225 will be described later. Further, the second gradation correction unit 226 performs a second gradation correction process on the second YMCK raster data (step 208), and outputs the result to the synthesis unit 227.

  The synthesizing unit 227 synthesizes the first YMCK raster data input from the first tone correction unit 224 and the second YMCK raster data input from the second tone correction unit 226 in pixel order. (Step 209). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing for all the pixels constituting the YMC raster data with Tag created in step 203 has been completed (step 210). If it is determined that the processing for all the pixels has not been completed, Returning to step 204, processing for the next pixel is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing for all the pixels has been completed, the synthesizing unit 227 converts the YMCK image signal obtained by synthesizing the first YMCK raster data and the second YMCK raster data to Y, Output in the order of M, C, and K toward the exposure unit 13 (step 211), and a series of processing ends.

Here, FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the first black generating unit 223 in step 205 described above.
In the first black generating unit 223, first, the first parameter setting unit 2232 determines whether or not the first mode is set (step 301). Note that the mode is determined based on the mode information added to the first YMC raster data. If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the first parameter setting unit 2232 reads the parameter A corresponding to the first mode from the first parameter storage unit 2231 (step 302). Next, based on the read parameter A, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 30% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 and sets no data change to the data change unit 2234 ( Step 303). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 applies UCR processing to the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 30% (step 304), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. Next, the data changing unit 2234 outputs the K data of the obtained first YMCK raster data as it is without performing the changing process (step 305).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 301 that the mode is not the first mode (when the mode is the second mode), the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the parameter B corresponding to the second mode from the first parameter storage unit 2231. Read (step 306). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 and sets the data change to the data change unit 2234 based on the read parameter B ( Step 307). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 308), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output first YMCK raster data is 0. Next, the data changing unit 2234 sets the value of the obtained first YMCK data to 50% density in the case of a predetermined density value (for example, 8-bit multi-value data (maximum value 255)). The process of changing to 128) is performed and output (step 309). In this case, the value of the K data input to the data changing unit 2234 is 0, but the value of the K data output from the data changing unit 2234 is always a predetermined density value. Therefore, in the second mode, the value of K data in the first YMCK raster data output to the combining unit 227 always remains a predetermined density value.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the second black generating unit 225 in step 207.
In the second black generating unit 225, first, the second parameter setting unit 2252 determines whether or not it is the first mode (step 401). If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the parameter C corresponding to the first mode from the second parameter storage unit 2251 (step 402). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 100% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter C (step 403). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 100% (step 404), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 401 that the mode is not the first mode (when the mode is the second mode), the second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the parameter D corresponding to the second mode from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Is read (step 405). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter D (step 406). Then, the second UCR processing 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 407), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output second YMCK raster data is 0. Unlike the first black generating unit 223, since there is no corresponding data changing unit 2234, in the second mode, the K data of the second YMCK raster data output to the synthesizing unit 227. The value of remains 0.

FIG. 10 shows the modes (first mode and second mode) and the colors of toner constituting the images (document image and code image) formed in each mode in the printing system according to the present embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship with the intended purpose of Tag in each mode.
For example, in the first mode in which only the document image is printed, the document image is formed using toners of all colors Y, M, C, and K based on the first image data, that is, the document image data. In the first mode, black in the document image is naturally formed by K toner. The tag given to each pixel is used for object discrimination (image object if Tag = 1, text object if Tag = 0). For this reason, in the first mode, different black generation processing can be performed for each object based on the value of Tag. In the first mode, the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the second UCR processing unit 2253 generate black ink at a predetermined UCR rate (not 0%). At this time, the UCR rates in the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the second UCR processing unit 2253 are made different (in this example, the UCR rate for the image object is made lower than the UCR rate for the text object), so that the ink suitable for the corresponding object is obtained. Generation can be performed. That is, for example, image processing that emphasizes image quality can be performed on images, and image processing that emphasizes easiness of viewing can be performed on texts.

  On the other hand, for example, in the second mode in which the code image is superimposed on the document image and printed, the document image is formed using Y, M, and C toners based on the second image data, that is, the document image data and the code image data. The code image is formed using K toner. In the second mode, black in the document image is formed by superimposing Y, M, and C toners. That is, in the second mode, the K toner is not used to form the document image, and the code image is formed using the K toner. The tag given to each pixel is used for determining whether or not a code image is formed (when Tag = 1, a code is formed, and when Tag = 0, a code is not formed). Therefore, in the second mode, a code image can be obtained based on the Tag value. In the second mode, the UCR rates for generating black in the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the second UCR processing unit 2253 are set to 0%, respectively, and the first YMC raster data and the second YMC raster data, The generation of K data from the document image data is prevented. The data changing unit 2234 provided in the first black generating unit 223 superimposes the code image data by replacing the K data of the first YMCK raster data created in this way with a predetermined density value. ing.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a code image formation example in the second mode in which a code image is superimposed on a document image and printed. Here, FIG. 11A shows a code image formed with K toner, and FIG. 11B shows a tag that is the basis of the code image shown in FIG. 11A. Note that the code image shown in FIG. 11A is the same as that shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of the second mode, the Tag created based on the code image data for the R′G′B ′ raster data with Tag to which the Tag related to the object information is added. Is overwritten. At this time, in the pixel corresponding to the black region shown in FIG. 11A to be the code image formation target, Tag is set to 1 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, Tag is set to 0 as shown in FIG. 11B in the pixels corresponding to the hatched area and the unfilled area that are not the code image formation target. In this embodiment, as described above, the minimum square in FIG. 11A is composed of pixels of 2 dots × 2 dots, so that the region where Tag is set to 1 is also 2 dots × 2 respectively. 2 dots.
In the present embodiment, the code image is formed in this way. For this reason, the tag changing unit 150 functioning as an adding unit adds a tag (tag) corresponding to the presence / absence of a code image as control data to each pixel constituting the document image data, that is, R′G′B ′ raster data. ing.

As described above, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, in the first mode, a document image is formed using YMCK toner as usual.
On the other hand, in this printing system, in the second mode, a document image is formed using YMC toner, and a code image is formed using K toner.
That is, an image forming function (first mode) for forming only a document image and an image formed by superimposing a document image and a code image only by changing the meaning of Tag given to each pixel of rasterized image data Since both of the forming functions (second mode) are realized by one printer 2, the versatility of the printer 2 is improved.

  By the way, for example, an additional writing operation with a writing tool called an electronic pen is assumed for a document (paper with a code image superimposed on a document image) created in the second mode. The electronic pen here is a pen that incorporates an optical reading mechanism such as a digital camera having sensitivity in the near infrared region. By reading the pattern of the code image formed on the paper using this electronic pen, it becomes possible to specify the position and movement locus of the pen tip on the paper. Then, by processing the information on the position of the pen tip and the movement locus, handwritten characters and images written on the paper can be used as electronic information.

In the present embodiment, in the second mode, the document image is formed with YMC toner, and the code image is formed with K toner. Here, the YMC color toners have lower light absorption characteristics in the near-infrared region than the K toner. For this reason, even in a black toner image formed by superimposing YMC toners, the light absorption characteristic in the near infrared region is lower than that of the K toner. On the other hand, since the K toner contains carbon black, the light absorption characteristics in the near infrared region are higher than those of the YMC toners.
Therefore, the electronic pen reads only the code image formed by the K toner. At this time, even if the document image with YMC toner and the code image with K toner overlap, the electronic pen reads only the code image.
Further, in the present embodiment, since data for forming an image with K toner is not created from RGB raster data that is the source of a document image, there is no possibility that the code image is broken by the document image.

Further, the document created in the second mode is read by a scanner having sensitivity in the near-infrared region, and for example, whether or not a copying operation is possible is determined based on the identification information included in the read code image. Is assumed.
In the present embodiment, a code image with K toner is formed on the entire surface of the paper. Moreover, as described above, the code image is not broken by the document image. Therefore, no matter where on the paper is read by the scanner, the identification information is acquired from the reading result.

  In this embodiment, the image formation is performed with the document image, that is, the YMC toner, for the pixel that forms the image with the code image, that is, the K toner, but the pixel that forms the code image with the K toner is used. On the other hand, it is not always necessary to form a document image with YMC toner. This is because other YMC toners are masked by the K toner at the code image forming portion. However, in the case where no document image is formed with YMC toner at the portion where the code image is formed with K toner, there is a possibility that toner scatters at this portion, so that an image using YMC toner is used to some extent. It is preferable to form

<Embodiment 2>
The present embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, but as shown in parentheses in FIG. 3, invisible toner (IR toner) is used in the printer 2 instead of the K developing device 50K containing K toner. The four-color developing device 14 equipped with the invisible developing device 50IR having a built-in function is mounted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the printer 2 shown in FIG. 2 is used to output, for example, full color, image signals are output in the order of Y, M, C, K from the print data creation unit 60, and Y, M, Toner images are formed in the order of C and IR. In other words, in this embodiment, an IR toner image is formed based on the K image signal. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The IR toner accommodated in the invisible developing device 50IR is, for example, an infrared absorber having a maximum absorbance in the visible light region of, for example, 7% or less and an absorbance in the near infrared region of, for example, 30% or more. It is comprised including. Examples of such infrared absorbers include a frit of Cu—P-containing glass containing copper and phosphorus in silica glass, ytterbium oxide (Yb ₂ O ₃ ), naphthalocyanine such as vanadyl naphthalocyanine, or croconium. Is mentioned. Here, FIG. 12 shows the light reflection characteristics of naphthalocyanine and croconium among these infrared absorbers. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents the light wavelength (nm) and the vertical axis represents the reflectance (%). As is clear from the figure, these materials have a lower reflectance in the near infrared region than in the visible light region, in other words, a large amount of light absorption in the near infrared region. Here, “visible” and “invisible” are not related to whether they can be recognized visually. In this example, “visible” and “invisible” are distinguished based on whether or not an image printed (formed) on paper can be recognized based on the presence or absence of color development due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region. .

  FIG. 13A illustrates the first parameters (parameter A and parameter B) held in the first parameter storage unit 2231 of the first black generating unit 223. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the UCR rate in parameter A is set to 0% because K toner cannot be used. Note that the UCR rate in parameter B remains 0% as in the first embodiment. Further, the point that parameter “A” is set to “no data change” and the parameter B is set to “data change” is the same as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13B illustrates the second parameters (parameter C and parameter D) held in the second parameter storage unit 2251 of the second black generating unit 225. In the present embodiment, the UCR rate in parameter C is set to 0% for the same reason as in parameter A above. Note that the UCR rate in parameter D remains 0% as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a specific processing procedure in the printing process will be described. However, the basic processing procedure in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and only the contents of processing in the first black generating unit 223 and the second black generating unit 225 are partially different. Therefore, the process in the first black generation unit 223 shown in step 205 of FIG. 8 and the process in the second black generation unit 225 shown in step 207 of FIG. 8 will be described.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the first black generating unit 223 in step 205 described above.
In the first black generating unit 223, first, the first parameter setting unit 2232 determines whether or not the first mode is set (step 501). Note that the mode is determined based on the mode information added to the first YMC raster data. If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the first parameter setting unit 2232 reads the parameter A corresponding to the first mode from the first parameter storage unit 2231 (step 502). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 based on the read parameter A, and sets no data change to the data change unit 2234 ( Step 503). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 504), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output first YMCK raster data is 0. Next, the data changing unit 2234 outputs the K data of the obtained first YMCK raster data as it is without performing the changing process (step 505).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 501 that the mode is not the first mode (when the mode is the second mode), the first parameter setting unit 2232 obtains the parameter B corresponding to the second mode from the first parameter storage unit 2231. Read (step 506). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 and sets the data change to the data change unit 2234 based on the read parameter B ( Step 507). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 508), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output first YMCK raster data is 0. Next, the data changing unit 2234 performs a process of changing the value of the obtained first YMCK data to a predetermined density and outputs the K data (step 509). In this case, the value of the K data input to the data changing unit 2234 is 0, but the value of the K data output from the data changing unit 2234 is always a predetermined density value. Therefore, in the second mode, the value of K data in the first YMCK raster data output to the combining unit 227 always remains a predetermined density value.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the second black generating unit 225 in step 207.
In the second black generating unit 225, first, the second parameter setting unit 2252 determines whether or not the first mode is set (step 601). If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the parameter C corresponding to the first mode from the second parameter storage unit 2251 (step 602). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter C (step 603). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 604), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output second YMCK raster data is 0.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 601 that the mode is not the first mode (when the mode is the second mode), the second parameter setting unit 2252 receives the parameter D corresponding to the second mode from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Is read (step 605). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter D (step 606). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 607), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output second YMCK raster data is 0. Unlike the first black generating unit 223, since there is no corresponding data changing unit 2234, in the second mode, the K data of the second YMCK raster data output to the synthesizing unit 227. The value of remains 0.

FIG. 15 illustrates the modes (first mode and second mode) and the colors of toner constituting the images (document image and code image) formed in each mode in the printing system according to the present embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship with the intended purpose of Tag in each mode.
For example, in the first mode in which only the document image is printed, the document image is formed using Y, M, and C toners. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, black in the document image is also formed by superimposing Y, M, and C toners. Further, the tag given to each pixel is used for object discrimination. However, in the present embodiment, since YMC cannot be replaced with K by UCR processing, image quality adjustment using UCR processing cannot be performed. However, for example, the image quality adjustment can be performed by making the gradation correction characteristics by the first gradation correcting unit 224 different between the case of the image object and the case of the text object.

  On the other hand, for example, in the second mode in which a code image is superimposed on a document image and printed, the document image is formed using Y, M, and C toners, and the code image is formed using IR toner. Note that black in the document image is formed by superimposing Y, M, and C toners as in the first mode. As in the first embodiment, the tag given to each pixel is used to determine whether or not a code image is formed. Therefore, in the second mode, a code image can be obtained based on the Tag value. The data changing unit 2234 provided in the first black generating unit 223 superimposes the code image data by replacing the K data of the first YMCK raster data created in this way with a predetermined density value. ing.

Thus, in the print system according to the present embodiment, in the first mode, a document image is formed using YMC toner.
On the other hand, in this printing system, in the second mode, a document image is formed using YMC toner, and a code image is formed using IR toner.
That is, an image forming function (first mode) for forming only a document image and an image formed by superimposing a document image and a code image only by changing the meaning of Tag given to each pixel of rasterized image data Both the forming function (second mode) are realized by a single printer 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, the YMCK color developing devices are installed in the printer 2 simply by rewriting the UCR rate of the parameter A held in the first parameter storage unit 2231 and the parameter C held in the second parameter storage unit 2251. This corresponds to both the case where the mounted four-color developing unit 14 is mounted and the case where the printer 2 is mounted with the four-color developing unit 14 mounted with each YMCIR color developing unit. improves.

In this embodiment, each YMC color toner has lower light absorption characteristics in the near-infrared region than IR toner. For this reason, even in a black toner image formed by superimposing YMC toners, the light absorption characteristic in the near infrared region is lower than that of an IR toner image. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the IR toner has higher light absorption characteristics in the near infrared region than the YMC toner.
For this reason, the code image can be accurately displayed even when the additional output operation is performed using the electronic pen on the paper output in the second mode in the present embodiment or the image is read using the scanner. It becomes possible to read.

  In the present embodiment, the code image is formed using a substantially transparent IR toner in the visible region. Therefore, the background color can be seen through at the portion where the code image is formed by the IR toner. For this reason, unlike the first embodiment, it is necessary to form a document image with YMC toner for pixels that form a code image with IR toner.

<Embodiment 3>
This embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. 16, the four-color developing device 14 (see FIG. 3) in which the YMCK four-color developing device 50 is mounted on the printer 2 is used. Instead, a five-color developing device 80 including a five-color developing device 90 including YMCKIR (specifically, a yellow developing device 90Y, a magenta developing device 90M, a cyan developing device 90C, a black developing device 90K, and an invisible developing device 90IR) is mounted. It is possible. In other words, in the present embodiment, either a configuration in which the printer 2 is equipped with the four-color developing device 14 shown in FIG. 3 or a configuration in which the five-color developing device 80 shown in FIG. Can be selected. Further, for example, the five-color developing device 80 can be mounted later on the printer 2 in which the four-color developing device 14 is mounted in the initial state (for example, at the time of purchase). Of course, the reverse is also possible. In that case, the control unit 40 automatically performs various controls in the image forming operation (for example, the rotary developer unit) depending on whether the printer 2 is equipped with the four-color developing unit 14 or the five-color developing unit 80. Change the rotation angle). Further, in the present embodiment, the contents of the image signal automatically output by the print data creation unit 60 according to whether the four-color developing device 14 or the five-color developing device 80 is attached to the printer 2 are displayed. It has changed. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the yellow developing unit 90Y, the magenta developing unit 90M, and the cyan developing unit 90C that constitute the five-color developing unit 80 are the yellow developing unit 50Y, the magenta developing unit 50M, and the cyan developing unit that constitute the four-color developing unit 14, respectively. The same toner as Y toner, M toner, and C toner housed in each of 50C is incorporated. Further, the invisible developing unit 90IR constituting the five-color developing unit 80 contains the same IR toner contained in the invisible developing unit 50IR described in the second embodiment. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the black developing device 90K constituting the five-color developing device 80 does not contain the same K toner stored in the black developing device 50K constituting the four-color developing device 14. More specifically, as described in the first embodiment, the K toner used in the black developing device 50K constituting the four-color developing device 14 contains carbon black having absorption in the near infrared region. . On the other hand, the black developing device 90K constituting the five-color developing device 80 does not contain carbon black, and is a K toner (hereinafter referred to as “color toner”) that is colored with a dye or pigment that has a light absorption characteristic lower than that of the IR toner in the near infrared region. In the description, non-carbon toner (referred to as NK toner) is incorporated.

  In the present embodiment, in the printer 2 to which the four-color developing device 14 is mounted, as in the first embodiment, when outputting full color in the first mode and the second mode, the print data creation unit 60 outputs the YMCK. Image signals are output in order. Then, toner images are formed on the photosensitive drum 11 in the order of YMCK, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 and then secondarily transferred onto a sheet. That is, in this case, the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates four times to form an image for one page.

  Also, in the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, when full color is output in the first mode, image signals are output from the print data creation unit 60 in the order of YMCK. Then, toner images are formed on the photosensitive drum 11 in the order of YMCK, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 and then secondarily transferred onto a sheet. That is, in this case, since IR image formation is not performed, the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates four times to perform image formation for one page.

  On the other hand, when the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80 outputs full color in the second mode, image signals are output from the print data creation unit 60 in the order of YMCKIR. Then, toner images are formed on the photosensitive drum 11 in the order of YMCKIR, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 and then secondarily transferred onto a sheet. That is, in this case, since IR image formation is performed, the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates five times to perform image formation for one page.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining an image processing system of the client 1 and the printer 2 in the present embodiment. The configuration of the image processing system of the client 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the configuration of the print data creation unit 60 in the printer 2 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

  However, in the present embodiment, when the first black generating unit 223 converts the input first YMC raster data into the first YMCK raster data, the IR data (in the following description, the first data 1 IR raster data). More specifically, the first black generating unit 223 does not generate the first IR raster data when the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2, while the five-color developing device is not used for the printer 2. When 80 is attached, the first IR raster data is generated. The first YMCK raster data including the first IR raster data is referred to as first YMCKIR raster data. The first gradation correction unit 224 performs gradation correction for each color on the first YMCK raster data or the first YMCKIR raster data input from the first black generation unit 223.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the second black generating unit 225 converts the input second YMC raster data into the second YMCK raster data, the IR data (in the following description, the first data) 2 IR raster data). More specifically, the second black generating unit 225 does not generate the second IR raster data when the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2, while the printer 2 has the five-color developing device. If 80 is attached, second IR raster data is generated. The second YMCK raster data including the second IR raster data is referred to as second YMCKIR raster data. The second gradation correction unit 226 performs gradation correction for each color on the second YMCK raster data or the second YMCKIR raster data input from the second black generation unit 225.

Then, in the first mode, the synthesizing unit 227 combines the first YMCK raster data input from the first tone correction unit 224 and the second YMCK raster data input from the second tone correction unit 226. YMCK raster data is generated by arranging the pixels in order. At this time, the composition unit 227 rearranges the obtained YMCK data for each color and outputs the data to the exposure unit 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and K.
In the second mode, the synthesizing unit 227 outputs the first YMCKIR raster data input from the first tone correction unit 224 and the second YMCKIR raster data input from the second tone correction unit 226. YMCKIR raster data is generated by arranging the pixels in order. At this time, the composition unit 227 rearranges the obtained YMCKIR data for each color and outputs the data to the exposure unit 13 in the order of Y, M, C, K, and IR.

  FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first black generating unit 223 provided in the print data creating unit 60. The first black generating unit 223 includes a first parameter storage unit 2231, a first parameter setting unit 2232, a first UCR processing unit 2233, and a first data setting unit 2235.

  The first parameter storage unit 2231 holds the first parameters (parameter S, parameter T, parameter U, parameter V) used for the black generation processing and IR raster data generation processing in the first black generation unit 223. . The parameter S includes setting values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the first data setting unit 2235 in the first mode and four-color development (YMCK). The parameter T includes the setting values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the first data setting unit 2235 in the first mode and five-color development (YMCKIR). Further, the parameter U includes setting values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the first data setting unit 2235 in the second mode and four-color development. Further, the parameter V includes setting values of the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the first data setting unit 2235 in the second mode and five-color development. Details of these parameter S, parameter T, parameter U, and parameter V will be described later.

  The first parameter setting unit 2232 reads any parameter from the first parameter storage unit 2231. The first parameter setting unit 2232 sets each setting value in the read parameter in the first UCR processing unit 2233 and the first data setting unit 2235.

  The first UCR processing unit 2233 performs background removal processing for each pixel on the first YMC raster data (data assigned with Tag = 1) input from the selector unit 222. At this time, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs black generation processing on the first YMC raster data based on the UCR rate set by the first parameter setting unit 2232.

  The first data setting unit 2235 performs a process of replacing (changing) the K data constituting the first YMCK raster data output from the first UCR processing unit 2233 with a predetermined density value as necessary. The first data setting unit 2235 generates IR data as necessary. Then, the first data setting unit 2235 determines whether or not the K data is changed and whether or not IR data is generated according to the setting value set by the first parameter setting unit 2232.

  FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the second black generating unit 225 provided in the print data generating unit 60. The second black generating unit 225 includes a second parameter storage unit 2251, a second parameter setting unit 2252, a second UCR processing unit 2253, and a second data setting unit 2255.

  The second parameter storage unit 2251 holds second parameters (parameter W, parameter X, parameter Y, parameter Z) used for the black generation processing and IR raster data generation processing in the second black generation unit 225. . The parameter W includes setting values of the second UCR processing unit 2253 and the second data setting unit 2255 in the first mode and four-color development. The parameter X includes setting values of the second UCR processing unit 2253 and the second data setting unit 2255 in the first mode and five-color development. Further, the parameter Y includes setting values of the second UCR processing unit 2253 and the second data setting unit 2255 in the second mode and four-color development. Further, the parameter Z includes setting values of the second UCR processing unit 2253 and the second data setting unit 2255 in the second mode and five-color development. Details of these parameter W, parameter X, parameter Y, and parameter Z will be described later.

  The second parameter setting unit 2252 reads any parameter from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Further, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets each setting value in the read parameter in the second UCR processing unit 2253 and the second data setting unit 2255.

  The second UCR processing unit 2253 performs background removal processing for each pixel on the second YMC raster data (data assigned with Tag = 0) input from the selector unit 222. At this time, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs black generation processing on the second YMC raster data based on the UCR rate set by the second parameter setting unit 2252.

  The second data setting unit 2255 generates IR data as necessary. Then, the second data setting unit 2255 determines whether or not IR data is generated according to the setting value set by the second parameter setting unit 2252.

  FIG. 19A illustrates the first parameters (parameter S, parameter T, parameter U, parameter V) held in the first parameter storage unit 2231 of the first black generating unit 223. The first parameter includes setting information on the UCR rate used in the first UCR processing unit 2233, setting information on whether or not K data is changed and whether or not IR data is output used in the first data setting unit 2235. Of the first parameters, the parameter S is a pixel for which Tag = 1 is set in the first mode in which the document image is output using the printer 2 equipped with the four-color developing device 14, that is, a pixel constituting the image object. Setting information for. The parameter T is setting information for a pixel in which Tag = 1 is set in the first mode in which a document image is output using the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, that is, a pixel constituting the image object. . Further, the parameter U corresponds to a pixel for which Tag = 1 is set in the second mode in which a document image and a code image are output using the printer 2 equipped with the four-color developing device 14, that is, a pixel constituting the code image. Setting information. Further, the parameter V corresponds to a pixel in which Tag = 1 is set in the second mode in which the document image and the code image are output using the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, that is, a pixel constituting the code image. Setting information. In this example, the parameter S is set to “UCR rate 30%”, “K data not changed”, and “IR data not required (no need to output)”. Further, the parameter T is set to “UCR rate 30%”, “K data not changed”, and “IR data not present (0 is output)”. Further, the parameter U is set to “UCR rate 0%”, “K data changed”, and “IR data not required”. Furthermore, the parameter V is set to “UCR rate 50%”, “K data not changed”, and “IR data present (output at a predetermined density value)”.

  On the other hand, FIG. 19B illustrates the second parameters (parameter W, parameter X, parameter Y, parameter Z) held in the second parameter storage unit 2251 of the second black generating unit 225. The second parameter includes UCR rate setting information used by the second UCR processing unit 2253 and IR data output presence / absence setting information used by the second data setting unit 2255. Of the second parameters, the parameter W is a pixel in which Tag = 0 is set in the first mode in which the document image is output using the printer 2 equipped with the four-color developing device 14, that is, a pixel constituting the text object. Setting information for. The parameter X is setting information for a pixel in which Tag = 0 is set in the first mode in which a document image is output using the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, that is, a pixel constituting the text object. . Further, the parameter Y corresponds to a pixel for which Tag = 0 is set in the second mode in which a document image and a code image are output using the printer 2 equipped with the four-color developing device 14, that is, a pixel that does not constitute a code image. Setting information. Furthermore, the parameter Z corresponds to a pixel for which Tag = 0 is set in the second mode in which a document image and a code image are output using the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, that is, a pixel that does not constitute a code image. Setting information. In this example, the parameter W is set to “UCR rate 100%” and “IR data unnecessary”. Further, the parameter X is set to “UCR rate 100%” and “no IR data”. Further, the parameter Y is set to “UCR rate 0%” and “IR data unnecessary”. Furthermore, the parameter Z is set to “UCR rate 50%” and “no IR data”.

  Now, a specific procedure in the printing process will be described. The processing procedure in the client 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing procedure in the printer 2 is basically the same as that in the first embodiment, and the processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, specific procedures of the first black generation process in step 205 and the second black generation process in step 207 are partially different, and will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the first color developer 14 is attached to the printer 2 (first mode, second mode) and the fifth color developer 80 is attached to the printer 2. When the image forming operation is performed in this mode, image signals are output in the order of YMCK as shown in step 211 in FIG. On the other hand, when the image forming operation is performed in the second mode when the five-color developing device 80 is attached to the printer 2, the image signals are output in the order of YMCKIR in step 211 of FIG.

Here, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the first black generating unit 223 in step 205 described above.
In the first black generating unit 223, first, the first parameter setting unit 2232 determines whether or not the first mode is set (step 701). If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the first parameter setting unit 2232 next determines whether or not the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2 (step 702). The control unit 40 of the printer 2 has a function of determining whether the four-color developing device 14 or the five-color developing device 80 is installed, and outputs the determination information to the first parameter setting unit 2232. Yes.

  If it is determined that the four-color developing device 14 is attached, the first parameter setting unit 2232 reads the corresponding parameter S from the first parameter storage unit 2231 (step 703). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 30% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 based on the read parameter S, and changes the K data to the first data setting unit 2235. , IR data output is set to be unnecessary (step 704). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 30% (step 705), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. Next, the first data setting unit 2235 outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data without changing the K data and without generating IR data (step 706). Therefore, in this case, the first YMCK raster data output from the first UCR processing unit 2233 is output as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 702 that the four-color developing device 14 is not installed (the five-color developing device 80 is installed), the first parameter setting unit 2232 receives the corresponding parameter T from the first parameter storage unit 2231. Is read (step 707). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 30% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 based on the read parameter T, and changes the K data to the first data setting unit 2235. The IR data output is set to none (density value 0) (step 708). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 30% (step 709), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. Next, the first data setting unit 2235 does not change the K data in the obtained first YMCK raster data, adds the IR data generated with the density value 0, and outputs it (step 710). Therefore, in this case, the first YMCKIR raster data obtained by adding the IR data (density value 0) output from the first data setting unit 2235 to the first YMCK raster data output from the first UCR processing unit 2233 is output. Will be.

  If it is determined in step 701 that the mode is not the first mode (the second mode), the first parameter setting unit 2232 next determines whether or not the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2. (Step 711).

  If it is determined that the four-color developing device 14 is mounted, the first parameter setting unit 2232 reads the corresponding parameter U from the first parameter storage unit 2231 (step 712). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 based on the read parameter U, and changes the K data to the first data setting unit 2235. , IR data output is set to be unnecessary (step 713). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 714), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output first YMCK raster data is 0. Next, the first data setting unit 2235 performs a process of changing the value of the obtained first YMCK data to a predetermined density value without generating IR data. Output (step 715). Therefore, in this case, the first YMCK raster data in which the K data is changed to a predetermined density value is output.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 711 that the four-color developing device 14 is not installed (the five-color developing device 80 is installed), the first parameter setting unit 2232 receives the corresponding parameter V from the first parameter storage unit 2231. Is read (step 716). Next, the first parameter setting unit 2232 sets the UCR rate to 50% for the first UCR processing unit 2233 based on the read parameter V, and changes the K data to the first data setting unit 2235. IR data is output (density value 128) (step 717). Then, the first UCR processing unit 2233 performs UCR processing on the input first YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 50% (step 718), and outputs the obtained first YMCK raster data. Next, the first data setting unit 2235 adds the IR data generated with the density value 128 (predetermined value) and outputs it without changing the K data of the obtained first YMCK raster data ( Step 719). Therefore, in this case, the first YMCKIR raster data obtained by adding the IR data (density value 128) output from the first data setting unit 2235 to the first YMCK raster data output from the first UCR processing unit 2233 is output. Will be.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the second black generating unit 225 in step 207.
In the second black generating unit 225, the second parameter setting unit 2252 determines whether or not it is in the first mode (step 801). If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the second parameter setting unit 2252 next determines whether or not the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2 (step 802).

  If it is determined that the four-color developing device 14 is mounted, the second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the corresponding parameter W from the second parameter storage unit 2251 (step 803). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 100% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter W, and makes it unnecessary to output IR data to the second data setting unit 2255. Set (step 804). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 100% (step 805), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. Next, the second data setting unit 2255 outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data without generating IR data (step 806). Therefore, in this case, the second YMCK raster data output from the second UCR processing unit 2253 is output as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 802 that the four-color developing device 14 is not installed (the five-color developing device 80 is installed), the second parameter setting unit 2252 receives the corresponding parameter X from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Is read (step 807). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 100% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter X, and does not output IR data to the second data setting unit 2255 ( The density value is set to 0) (step 808). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 100% (step 809), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. Next, the second data setting unit 2255 adds the IR data generated with the density value 0 to the obtained second YMCK raster data, and outputs it (step 810). Therefore, in this case, second YMCKIR raster data obtained by adding IR data (density value 0) output from the second data setting unit 2255 to the second YMCK raster data output from the second UCR processing unit 2253 is output. Will be.

  If it is determined in step 801 that the mode is not the first mode (the second mode), the second parameter setting unit 2252 next determines whether or not the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2. (Step 811).

  If it is determined that the four-color developing device 14 is attached, the second parameter setting unit 2252 reads the corresponding parameter Y from the second parameter storage unit 2251 (step 812). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 0% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter Y, and makes it unnecessary to output IR data to the second data setting unit 2255. Set (step 813). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 0% (step 814), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. In this case, since the UCR rate is 0%, the value of K data in the output second YMCK raster data is 0. Next, the second data setting unit 2255 outputs K data of the obtained second YMCK data without generating IR data (step 815). Therefore, in this case, the second YMCK raster data output from the second UCR processing unit 2253 is output as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 811 that the four-color developing device 14 is not installed (the five-color developing device 80 is installed), the second parameter setting unit 2252 receives the corresponding parameter Z from the second parameter storage unit 2251. Is read (step 816). Next, the second parameter setting unit 2252 sets the UCR rate to 50% for the second UCR processing unit 2253 based on the read parameter Z, and does not output IR data to the second data setting unit 2255 ( The density value is set to 0) (step 817). Then, the second UCR processing unit 2253 performs UCR processing on the input second YMC raster data at a UCR rate of 50% (step 818), and outputs the obtained second YMCK raster data. Next, the second data setting unit 2255 adds the IR data generated with the density value 0 to the obtained second YMCK raster data and outputs it (step 819). Therefore, in this case, second YMCKIR raster data obtained by adding IR data (density value 0) output from the second data setting unit 2255 to the second YMCK raster data output from the second UCR processing unit 2253 is output. Will be.

FIG. 22 shows a rotary developing device (four colors, five colors) mounted on the printer, each mode (first mode, second mode), and each mode in the printing system according to the present embodiment. 6 is a chart showing the relationship between the color of toner constituting an image (document image, code image) and the intended use of Tag in each mode.
For example, when the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2, the following occurs. In the first mode, a document image is formed using toners of all colors Y, M, C, and K. In the second mode, the document image is formed using Y, M, and C toners, and the code image is formed using K toner.
On the other hand, when the five-color developing device 80 is installed in the printer 2, the operation is as follows. In the first mode, a document image is formed using Y, M, C, and NK toners. In the second mode, the document image is formed using Y, M, C, and NK toners, and the code image is formed using IR toner.
In the first mode, the tag given to each pixel is used for object discrimination, and in the second mode, the tag given to each pixel is used for discrimination of code image formation.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the processing in the print data creation unit 60 is slightly changed between when the four-color developing device 14 is attached to the printer 2 and when the five-color developing device 80 is attached. In either case, image formation is performed in the first mode and the second mode.

  When image formation is performed in the second mode using the printer 2 equipped with the five-color developing device 80, NK toner and IR toner can be superimposed. However, as described above, NK toner absorbs light in the near-infrared region lower than IR toner, so when reading a code image formed with IR toner with an electronic pen or scanner, There is no optical hindrance.

<Embodiment 4>
The basic configuration of the print system in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that described in the first embodiment, but the configurations of the image processing systems in the print data creation unit 60 of the client 1 and the printer 2 are different. More specifically, in the present embodiment, document image data and code image data are transmitted as vector data from the client 1. The print data creation unit 60 of the printer 2 rasterizes the received vector data and outputs the rasterized data to the exposure unit 13. In the present embodiment, the processing applied to the document image data is varied based on whether or not the ROP processing is designated in the client 1. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining an image processing system of the client 1 and the printer 2 (print data creation unit 60).
First, an image processing system in the client 1 will be described. The client 1 includes a printer driver unit 310, a sorting unit 320, a first processing unit 330, a second processing unit 340, an ID acquisition unit 350, a code generation unit 360, and an output unit 370.

  Similar to the printer driver unit 110 according to the first embodiment, the printer driver unit 310 that functions as a document image generation unit converts document data or the like requested by an application operating on the client 1 into job data using the printer driver software. And convert. The job data is vector data (RGB vector data) including image information of each color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). For example, the job data is PDL (Page Description Language). Can be described. The job data includes a drawing command related to ROP processing (hereinafter referred to as ROP drawing command) as necessary. In addition, the printer driver unit 310 outputs a management ID acquisition request necessary for generating a code image to the ID acquisition unit 350.

  Based on the RGB vector data input from the printer driver unit 310, the distribution unit 320 determines whether an ROP drawing command is included in the vector data for each page. Then, the sorting unit 320 outputs the RGB vector data of the page including the ROP drawing command (referred to as first RGB vector data in the following description) to the first processing unit 330. In addition, the sorting unit 320 outputs RGB vector data of a page that does not include the ROP drawing command (referred to as second RGB vector data in the following description) to the second processing unit 340.

  The first processing unit 330 functioning as a first image processing unit performs ROP processing on the first RGB vector data input from the distribution unit 320 as necessary, and performs color conversion processing (RGB-YMC). Apply. Then, the first processing unit 330 outputs YMC vector data (referred to as first YMC vector data in the following description) obtained in page units. Details of the first processing unit 330 will be described later.

  The second processing unit 340 functioning as the second image processing unit performs color conversion processing (RGB-YMC) on the second RGB vector data input from the distribution unit 320. Then, second processing unit 340 outputs YMC vector data (referred to as second YMC vector data in the following description) obtained in units of pages. Details of the second processing unit 340 will be described later.

Similar to the ID acquisition unit 160 in the first embodiment, the ID acquisition unit 350 acquires unique identification information, that is, a management ID (Identification) for each page of document image data.
The code generation unit 360 functioning as a code image generation unit creates an identification code based on the management ID received from the ID acquisition unit 350, and indicates the position on the paper based on the size of the paper to be printed. Create a position code. Next, the code generation unit 360 combines the identification code and the position code to generate bit map-like code image data, and then outputs the code image data as CO vector data described in PDL.

  The output unit 370 functioning as a combining unit aligns the first YMC vector data input from the first processing unit 330 and the second YMC vector data input from the second processing unit 340 in page order. Also, after the first YMC vector data and the second vector data (collectively referred to as YMC vector data) constituting all pages are prepared, the output unit 370 adds the code generation unit 360 to the YMC vector data. Are associated with each other and output to the printer 2 via the network 3.

  It should be noted that the functions of the components constituting the printer driver unit 310, the distribution unit 320, the first processing unit 330, the second processing unit 340, the ID acquisition unit 350, the code generation unit 360, and the output unit 370 are software, hardware resources, and Is realized through collaboration. That is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) provided in the client 1 reads a program for realizing the functions of these units from a storage device such as a hard disk into the main memory to realize these functions.

  Next, the configuration of the print data creation unit 60 in the printer 2 will be described. The print data creation unit 60 includes a rasterization unit 410 and a document / code synthesis unit 420. The exposure unit 13 is connected to the document / code composition unit 420.

  The rasterizing unit 410 interprets YMC vector data input from the client 1 via the network 3 and generates bitmap data for each color of YMC. In the following description, the bitmap data of each YMC color output from the rasterizing unit 410 is referred to as YMC raster data. The rasterizing unit 410 interprets the CO vector data input accompanying the YMC vector data, and creates bit map data for the code. In the following description, code bitmap data output from the rasterizing unit 410 is referred to as CO raster data.

  The document / code synthesizing unit 420 synthesizes the YMC raster data and the CO raster data input from the rasterizing unit 410. Here, in the present embodiment, CO raster data is stored in a storage area for black raster data. Then, the document / code composition unit 420 rearranges the obtained YMCK (CO) raster data for each color and outputs the data to the exposure unit 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and K (CO).

FIG. 24A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first processing unit 330 provided in the client 1. The first processing unit 330 includes a drawing processing unit 331, an ROP determination unit 332, an ROP processing unit 333, an overwrite processing unit 334, a first color conversion unit 335, and a PDL processing unit 336.
The drawing processing unit 331 creates drawing data based on the first RGB vector data input from the sorting unit 320. That is, the rendering processing unit 331 interprets the first RGB vector data, and creates raster data of each color of RGB corresponding to the first RGB vector data (hereinafter referred to as first RGB raster data). . At this time, the drawing processing unit 331 executes drawing processing in units of objects.

  The ROP determination unit 332 determines whether an ROP drawing command has been issued for each pixel constituting the first RGB raster data. Then, the ROP determination unit 332 outputs the first RGB raster data (referred to as second RGB raster data in the following description) of the pixel for which the ROP drawing command has been issued to the ROP processing unit 333. Further, the ROP determination unit 332 outputs the first RGB raster data (hereinafter referred to as third RGB raster data) for which no ROP drawing command has been made, to the overwrite processing unit 334.

  The ROP processing unit 333 performs ROP processing corresponding to the ROP drawing command on the second RGB raster data input from the ROP determination unit 332. The ROP processing unit 333 outputs RGB raster data (hereinafter referred to as fourth RGB raster data) obtained by performing the ROP processing.

  The overwriting processing unit 334 performs overwriting processing on the third RGB raster data input from the ROP determination unit 332. The overwrite processing unit 334 outputs RGB raster data (hereinafter referred to as fifth RGB raster data) obtained by performing the overwrite process.

  The first color conversion unit 335 uses the three-dimensional DLUT to convert the fourth RGB raster data input from the ROP processing unit 333 and the fifth RGB raster data input from the overwrite processing unit 334 from the RGB color space. Performs color conversion processing to the YMC color space. The first color conversion unit 335 outputs YMC raster data obtained by performing the color conversion process.

  The PDL processing unit 336 performs processing for describing the YMC raster data input from the first color conversion unit 335 in PDL, and outputs the obtained first YMC vector data.

FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the second processing unit 340 provided in the client 1. The second processing unit 340 includes a second color conversion unit 341.
The second color conversion unit 341 generates second YMC vector data by referring to each command in the second RGB vector data input from the distribution unit 320 and changing the command related to the color. More specifically, the second color conversion unit 341 rewrites the drawing command for each RGB color into a drawing command for each YMC color, and rewrites the density value of each RGB color in each pixel to a density value corresponding to each YMC color. The second color conversion unit 341 outputs second YMC vector data obtained by performing the color conversion process.

Now, a specific processing procedure in the printing process will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the client 1.
When a user who operates the client 1 makes a print request for document data, for example, the printer driver unit 310 generates job data, that is, RGB vector data based on the document data (step 901). At this time, the printer driver unit 310 adds an ROP drawing command to the RGB vector data as necessary. Further, the printer driver unit 310 outputs a management ID acquisition request to the ID acquisition unit 350.

  Next, the sorting unit 320 checks the presence or absence of an ROP drawing command for each page of the input RGB vector data (step 902). Then, the sorting unit 320 determines whether there is an ROP drawing command for each page (step 903).

  The first RGB vector data determined to have the ROP drawing command in step 903 is rasterized by the drawing processing unit 331 of the first processing unit 330 (step 904), and first RGB raster data is generated. Next, the ROP determination unit 332 determines whether or not an ROP drawing command is issued for each pixel of the first RGB raster data (step 905). Here, the RGB raster data (second RGB raster data) of the pixel determined to have been subjected to the ROP drawing command is subjected to ROP processing in accordance with the command by the ROP processing unit 333 (step 906). Are output as RGB raster data. On the other hand, the RGB raster data (third RGB raster data) of the pixel that is determined not to have an ROP drawing processing command in step 905 is overwritten by the overwriting processing unit 334 (step 907). Are output as RGB raster data. Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for one page has been completed for the first RGB vector data (step 908). If not, the process returns to step 905, and the first RGB raster data of the next pixel is obtained. Processing continues for. When the processing for one page is completed, the first color conversion unit 335 performs color conversion processing on the RGB raster data including the fourth RGB raster data and the fifth RGB raster data. (Step 909) The obtained YMC raster data is output. Thereafter, the PDL processing unit 336 performs processing for describing the input YMC raster data in PDL, generates first YMC vector data (step 910), and proceeds to the next step 913.

  On the other hand, the second RGB vector data determined to have no ROP drawing processing in step 903 is subjected to color conversion processing for each object by the second color conversion unit 341 of the second processing unit 340 (step 911). Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for one page is completed for the second RGB vector data (step 912). If the processing for all objects is not completed, the processing returns to step 911 and the processing is continued. If the processing for one page has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step 913.

  The output unit 370 acquires CO vector data from the code generation unit 360 in accordance with the input of the first YMC vector data from the first processing unit 330 and the second YMC vector data from the second processing unit 340. (Step 913). Then, the output unit 370 transmits the YMC vector data obtained by combining the first YMC vector data and the second YMC vector data in association with the CO vector data acquired in Step 913 (Step S370). 914), a series of processing is completed.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the print data creation unit 60 of the printer 2.
When the YMC vector data and the accompanying CO vector data are received from the client 1 via the network 3 (step 1001), the rasterizing unit 410 first rasterizes the YMC vector data (step 1002) and outputs the YMC raster data. To do. Next, the rasterizing unit 410 rasterizes the CO vector data (step 1003) and outputs YMC raster data.

  Next, the document / code image synthesis unit 420 synthesizes the YMC raster data obtained in step 1001 and the CO raster data obtained in step 1002 (step 1004). At this time, the CO raster data is combined with the K data surface. Then, the document / code image composition unit 420 outputs the obtained YMCK (CO) raster data to the exposure device 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and K (CO) (step 1005), and completes a series of processing. .

  In this embodiment, the color of the image data obtained by performing the ROP drawing process is set to a desired color by changing the procedure for executing the color conversion process according to the presence or absence of the ROP drawing command. It becomes possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the code image (code pattern) formed on a paper with a document image. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer. FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the image processing system of a client and a printer. (A) is a figure which shows the example of a structure of a 1st black generation part, (b) is a figure which respectively shows the example of a structure of a 2nd black generation part. (A) is a figure which shows the 1st parameter used by the 1st black generating part, (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd parameter used by the 2nd black generating part, respectively. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a client. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in a print data creation unit of a printer. (A) is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the first black generating unit, (b) is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the second black generating unit. It is a chart showing the relationship between each mode, the color of toner constituting the image formed in each mode, and the intended use of Tag. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the code image formed with the toner of K, (b) is a figure for demonstrating Tag used as the origin of the code image shown to (a), respectively. It is the figure which showed the light reflection characteristic of naphthalocyanine and croconium used as an infrared absorber. (A) is a figure which shows the 1st parameter used by the 1st black generating part in Embodiment 2, and (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd parameter used by the 2nd black generating part in Embodiment 2, respectively. is there. (A) is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the first black generating unit in the second embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the second black generating unit in the second embodiment. 6 is a chart showing the relationship between each mode, the color of toner constituting an image formed in each mode, and the intended use of Tag in the second embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer used in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an image processing system of a client and a printer in a third embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the 1st black generation part in Embodiment 3, and (b) is a figure which respectively shows the example of a structure of the 2nd black generation part in Embodiment 3. (A) is a figure which shows the 1st parameter used by the 1st black generating part of Embodiment 3, and (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd parameter used by the 2nd black generating part of Embodiment 3, respectively. is there. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a first black generating unit in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a second black generating unit in the third embodiment. 10 is a chart showing a relationship among each mode, the number of colors of a developing device, the color of toner constituting an image formed in each mode, and the purpose of use of Tag in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an image processing system of a client and a printer in a fourth embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the 1st process part provided in a client, (b) is a figure which respectively shows the example of a structure of the 2nd process part provided in a client. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in a client according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in a print data creation unit according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client, 2 ... Printer, 3 ... Network, 11 ... Photosensitive drum, 14 ... Four color developing device, 40 ... Control part, 60 ... Print data creation part, 80 ... Five color developing device, 110 ... Printer driver part, 120 ... Rasterize unit, 130 ... Pre-processing unit, 140 ... Tag setting unit, 150 ... Tag change unit, 160 ... ID acquisition unit, 170 ... Code generation unit, 180 ... Compression unit, 210 ... Expansion unit, 220 ... Image processing unit

Claims (6)

Document image generation means for generating document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan based on an electronic document;
When creating an image signal including color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black from the document image data based on the information of the object constituting the document image data, the type of the object is set. A first creating means for creating first control data used for controlling the black generation processing according to
When generating an image signal including color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan from the document image data based on the information of the code image including unique identification information, depending on the presence or absence of the code image The black or invisible color is used to control the generation process, or the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. Second creation means for creating second control data used for controlling the invisible color generation process according to the presence or absence of a code image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: adding means for adding the first control data or the second control data to the document image data. The first creation means creates a tag in which different values are set for each pixel constituting the document image data as the first control data according to the type of the object,
The second creation means creates a tag in which a different value is set for each pixel constituting the document image data according to the presence or absence of the code image as the second control data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 . Set to document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan created based on an electronic document based on information of objects constituting the document image data Receiving means for receiving a print instruction to which the first control data or the second control data set based on the information of the code image including the unique identification information is added;
When the first control data is added to the print instruction, the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. First image processing means for performing black generation processing according to the type of the object based on the first control data;
When the second control data is added to the print instruction, the second image data is generated when the image signal including the color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan is generated from the document image data. The black or invisible color is generated according to the presence or absence of the code image based on the control data, or the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is included from the document image data. An image processing apparatus comprising: a second image processing unit that performs generation processing of the invisible color based on the second control data when generating the image signal. The first control data includes a tag in which different values are set for each pixel constituting the document image data according to the type of the object, and the second control data constitutes the document image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein each pixel includes a tag in which a different value is set according to the presence or absence of the code image. On the computer,
A function of generating document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan based on an electronic document;
When creating an image signal including color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black from the document image data based on the information of the object constituting the document image data, the type of the object is set. A function of creating first control data used for controlling the black generation processing according to
When generating an image signal including color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan from the document image data based on the information of the code image including unique identification information, depending on the presence or absence of the code image The black or invisible color is used to control the generation process, or the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. A function of creating second control data used to control the invisible color generation process according to the presence or absence of a code image;
A program for realizing a function of adding the first control data or the second control data to the document image data. On the computer,
Set to document image data including color information of three colors of red, green and blue, or yellow, magenta and cyan created based on an electronic document based on information of objects constituting the document image data A function of receiving a print instruction to which the first control data or the second control data set based on the information of the code image including the unique identification information is added;
When the first control data is added to the print instruction, the image signal including the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is generated from the document image data. A function of performing the black generation process according to the type of the object based on the first control data;
When the second control data is added to the print instruction, the second image data is generated when the image signal including the color information of the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan is generated from the document image data. The black or invisible color is generated according to the presence or absence of the code image based on the control data, or the color information of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is included from the document image data. A program that realizes a function of generating the invisible color based on the second control data when creating an image signal.

Images